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When diving into the world of electronic music production, it’s essential to arm yourself with the right skills and knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or a seasoned producer looking to refine your craft, online courses are an excellent way to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. This guide will introduce you to the best online music production courses available, covering various platforms from Udemy to Skillshare, and even specialized schools like Point Blank Music School. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of which courses can help you achieve your music production goals.
The World’s Best Online Music Production Courses
Why I’ve made this guide
Creating electronic music can be simultaneously exhilarating and daunting. With countless online courses available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve curated this guide—to give you a clear overview of the top-rated courses that cover everything from music theory, software use, and real instrument skills to advanced production techniques. By distilling information about various platforms and their offers, my goal is to help you find the course that best fits your skill level, learning style, and production goals. Whether you’re interested in honing your beatmaking with Timberland or mastering Logic Pro X, this guide has got you covered.
Getting started
The first step in your music production journey is generally familiarizing yourself with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and basic production principles. Courses should ideally offer a comprehensive overview and hands-on projects to reinforce learning. For absolute beginners, consider starting with beginner-friendly platforms like Udemy or Coursera, which offer a variety of introductory courses tailored to different DAWs. These initial courses will set the foundation for your music production skills, enabling you to understand key concepts and terminologies.
Learning a real instrument
Though not strictly necessary for electronic music production, learning to play a real instrument can significantly enhance your understanding of music theory and improve your ability to create complex and interesting compositions. Instruments like the piano or guitar can provide an added layer of creativity to your electronic music tracks. There are dedicated platforms such as Piano For All and Guitar Tricks that offer excellent courses for beginners and intermediates alike. Mastering an instrument can also provide you with a more intuitive grasp of the melodic and harmonic structures applied in electronic music.
How I’ve picked the courses
My criteria for selecting these courses were multifaceted. Firstly, I considered the comprehensiveness and depth of the course content, ensuring they cover essential and advanced topics adequately. Secondly, user reviews and ratings were crucial to gauge the real-world effectiveness of these courses. Additionally, I looked at the credentials of the instructors, ensuring they are industry professionals with a significant track record. Finally, the platforms themselves were assessed for user experience, affordability, and the flexibility of their course offerings.
1. Udemy
Recommended Udemy Course: Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X – The Complete Course
With over 70,000 students enrolled, this highly-rated course on Udemy provides a deep dive into one of the most popular DAWs on the market: Logic Pro X. The course is taught by Julian Melanson, a seasoned producer who walks you through everything from setting up your first project to mastering your tracks. What makes this course particularly appealing is its comprehensive nature. You’ll learn recording, editing, mixing, and mastering—all essential skills for any music producer. The practical exercises and downloadable resources make it a worthwhile investment for any budding producer.
Recommended Udemy Course: Complete Mixing Masterclass
If you’re already familiar with the fundamentals and looking to specialize, the Complete Mixing Masterclass is an excellent next step. This course delves deeply into the mixing process, focusing on critical aspects like EQ, compression, reverb, and more. Philipp Schmid provides straightforward, step-by-step instructions suitable for beginners and intermediate learners. This course aims to demystify the often-overwhelming process of mixing, helping you create professional-sounding tracks that stand out.
2. Coursera
Recommended Coursera Course: Electronic Music Production Specialization
Offered by Berklee College of Music, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world, this Electronic Music Production Specialization is a collection of four comprehensive courses. You’ll learn everything from basic DAW usage to advanced sound design and production techniques. The specialization is designed to take you from zero to hero, perfect for those who are serious about pursuing electronic music production as a career. As it’s from Berklee, you can expect top-notch instruction and a curriculum that is both thorough and engaging.
Recommended Coursera Course: Music Production Specialization
Another gem from Coursera, this Music Production Specialization includes five expertly designed courses focusing on various aspects of music production, including recording, mixing, and mastering. The courses are organized to build up your skills sequentially, ensuring a thorough understanding of each topic before moving on to the next. You’ll also get hands-on projects and peer reviews, which provide valuable feedback and opportunities to hone your skills. Instructors from Berklee College of Music also deliver this specialization, ensuring an exceptional learning experience.
3. Masterclass
Recommended Masterclass Course: Producing and Beatmaking with Timberland
MasterClass offers some of the most engaging and high-quality online courses, and their music production courses are no exception. Timberland’s course on Producing and Beatmaking is a treasure trove of insights from one of the industry’s most successful producers. The course is designed for producers of all levels, and Timberland shares his creative process, from creating beats to composing tracks. With 15 video lessons averaging around 10 minutes each, you’ll get an inside look at Timberland’s personal studio and workflow.
Recommended Masterclass Course: deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production
If you’re into electronic music, deadmau5’s MasterClass is an indispensable resource. Joel Zimmerman, known professionally as deadmau5, goes through his entire production process, sharing tips and tricks that have contributed to his success in the electronic music industry. The lessons are rich with content, covering everything from the basics of DAW to more intricate aspects like mixing and mastering. This course is specifically designed for those who aim to excel in electronic music, making it an invaluable learning tool.
4. Skillshare
Recommended Skillshare Course: Ableton Live 1: The First Steps of Digital Music Production
Skillshare is known for its practical, concise courses that focus on hands-on learning, and “Ableton Live 1: The First Steps of Digital Music Production” is no exception. Taught by experienced producer and educator, you’ll start from the basics and gradually advance to more complex production techniques. This course is perfect for absolute beginners who are new to Ableton Live. You’ll learn the essential functions, including clip launching, MIDI sequencing, and basic mixing, to get you comfortable with creating your first track.
Recommended Skillshare Course: Music Fundamentals: Explore & Create Your Unique Sound
Creating unique sounds is what sets successful producers apart, and this Skillshare course focuses precisely on that. Taught by an industry professional, this class delves into sound design and how you can craft your own unique sonic identity. The course covers the fundamentals of music theory, different sound design techniques, and how to apply these to your digital audio workstation. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in creating and manipulating sounds to make your tracks truly unique.
5. Point Blank Music School
Recommended Point Blank Course: Music Production Certificate or Diploma
Point Blank Music School is a London-based institution renowned for its excellence in music education. Their Music Production Certificate or Diploma courses are some of the most respected qualifications in the industry. These are extensive, structured programs that cover all aspects of music production. These courses aim to provide a comprehensive education, covering topics like sound design, mixing, mastering, and music theory. The in-depth nature of these programs ensures that you gain a thorough understanding and hands-on experience, making them ideal for anyone serious about a career in music production.
Recommended Point Blank Course: Electronic Music Production In Depth
The Electronic Music Production In-Depth course is specially designed for those looking to focus exclusively on electronic music genres. This course covers multiple DAWs, including Ableton Live and Logic Pro, and delves deeply into various production techniques specific to electronic music. Taught by industry professionals, you’ll receive personalized feedback and guidance, ensuring that you not only learn the theory but also how to apply it in your projects. The combination of an excellent curriculum and real-world application makes this an outstanding choice for aspiring electronic music producers.
6. Piano For All
Piano For All offers one of the most comprehensive and beginner-friendly online piano courses available, featuring a blend of text, audio, and video lessons. This course aims to make learning piano accessible by focusing on chord-based playing, which is particularly useful for electronic music producers interested in composing and arranging. The course covers various genres and helps you quickly gain the skills needed to improvise or recreate your favorite tunes. With lifetime access, regular updates, and a structured learning path, Piano For All is a great investment for anyone looking to incorporate piano into their music production toolkit.
7. Guitar Tricks
For those inclined towards string instruments, Guitar Tricks provides an excellent platform for learning guitar. Offering thousands of lessons across various styles and skill levels, this service is perfect for those looking to elevate their compositions with live guitar elements. The intuitive interface and structured lesson plans make learning enjoyable and effective. Additionally, the flexibility to choose your learning path, whether it’s blues, rock, or jazz, empowers you to incorporate diverse musical elements into your electronic productions.
Future prospects
Below is a summary table to help you review the best online courses for electronic music production and make an informed decision:
| Platform | Course Title | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Udemy | Music + Audio Production in Logic Pro X – The Complete Course | Comprehensive course, hands-on projects, great for beginners |
| Udemy | Complete Mixing Masterclass | In-depth mixing skills, suitable for intermediate users |
| Coursera | Electronic Music Production Specialization | Berklee College of Music, thorough and engaging, great for career-focused learners |
| Coursera | Music Production Specialization | Sequential learning, hands-on projects, peer reviews |
| Masterclass | Producing and Beatmaking with Timberland | Inside look at Timberland’s workflow, suitable for all levels |
| Masterclass | deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production | Comprehensive view of deadmau5’s production process, ideal for electronic music producers |
| Skillshare | Ableton Live 1: The First Steps of Digital Music Production | Beginner-friendly, hands-on learning, covers essential functions |
| Skillshare | Music Fundamentals: Explore & Create Your Unique Sound | Sound design focus, creating unique sonic identity, practical application |
| Point Blank Music School | Music Production Certificate or Diploma | Comprehensive education, in-depth learning, industry-recognized qualification |
| Point Blank Music School | Electronic Music Production In Depth | Multi-DAW coverage, personalized feedback, real-world application |
| Piano For All | Complete Online Piano Course | Chord-based playing, diverse genres, structured learning path |
| Guitar Tricks | Guitar Lessons for All Levels | Intuitive interface, various styles, flexible learning |
By selecting the right course, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of electronic music production. Whether it’s through hands-on DAW training, sound design classes, or even learning a musical instrument, these courses will provide the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.